When three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year Aaron Donald retired after the 2023 season at just 32 years old, many wondered what would come next for Donald.
After all, the standout defensive tackle racked up every possible accolade for his position, nabbing ten Pro Bowl selections, eight All-Pro appearances, and a Super Bowl ring with his three Defensive Player of the Year awards.
Donald will, at least for now, return to his roots. The Pittsburgh Panthers, where Donald played college football from 2010-13, announced Thursday that the former ACC Defensive Player of the Year would be on the seven-person advisory committee to help the school find a new athletic director after Heather Lyke was fired earlier this week.
We are seeking a transformational leader to partner with University leadership in efforts to further elevate Pitt’s world-class student-athletes, coaches, staff, fans and donors,” Pitt Chancellor Joan Gabel said in a statement.
Much like his time in the NFL, Donald racked up plenty of accolades at Pitt. In addition to being the ACC’s Defensive Player of the Year in 2013, he was a unanimous All-American and won the Lombardi Award, Nagurski Trophy, Bednarik Award, and Outland Trophy. In his career with the Panthers, Donald recorded 29.5 sacks and 66 tackles for loss.
Jeff Capel, who has coached Pitt’s men’s basketball team since 2018, is also on the committee.
